New Delhi: Expressing concern over the spread of chikungunya and dengue across the country, Congress today demanded that the outbreak of vector-borne diseases be declared a national health emergency.
Party spokesperson Shobha Oza told reporters that the situation will be dealt with effectively with the declaration of a health emergency.
She said that despite the situation becoming worse day by day and taking the form of an “epidemic”, the government of India appears to be in a “deep slumber”.
“The only reason that a national health emergency is not being declared is because the government does not want to be held accountable,” she alleged.
“The cost of diagnostic tests for these diseases are very high. There are not enough beds to handle the number of patients,” she said.
Oza also alleged that the AAP government in Delhi failed to rise to the occasion.